The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has upped its forecast for this year's Atlantic hurricane season, adding two more named storms to its August update. And NOAA projects an 85 percent probability of an above-normal season, an increase from 65 percent in May.  In its latest update, NOAA predicted a better than average chance of 14 to 18 named storms, seven to 10 hurricanes and three to six major hurricanes.  So far this year, there have been five named storms, two of which became hurricanes. An Average season is 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two of them major hurricanes.

Noted hurricane researcher William Gray has also revised his Atlantic forecast, calling for 17 named storms, including nine hurricanes, this season. The former Colorado State University climatologist said five of the hurricanes will be major. He had previously called for 15 named storms and eight hurricanes.

Forecasters Increase Atlantic Hurricane Outlook (Biloxi MS Sun Herald 8/7/08)

August 12, 2008